Apparatus for spraying drill pipe



Aug. 8, 1967 J. c. GRANT APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING DRILL PIPE Filed March 4, 1965 INVENTOR. JO/M C. 654/1/7 United States Patent 3,334,639 APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING DRILL PIPE Ilohn C. Grant, Huntington Park, Calif., assignor to Byron Jackson Inc., Long Beach, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 437,015 6 Claims. (Cl. 134-122) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for spraying pipe, as with rust inhibitor, as it is being run into or out of a well, the apparatus having a base to which is pivotally mounted an annular carrier with a side opening to allow it to be pivoted to encompass the pipe or to be moved clear of the pipe to allow passage of objects such as a pipe wiper or bit, and the carrier having nozzles connected to a source of fluid under pressure arranged to spray pipe as it passes through the carrier.

or become corrosive, they attack drill pipe and the like,

seriously corrodin it and shortening service life.

It has been the practice to treat drill pipe with liquid solutions of corrosion inhibiting materials to reduce the deleterious effects of drilling muds on the pipe.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide apparatus for spraying drill pipe or tubing with a rust-inhibiting solution as the pipe string is being run into or out of a well. The spraying apparatus of the invention may also be used for washing the pipe with water where corrosion is not a problem.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spray head assembly that is easily installed on the riser or bell nipple of a well below the rotary table of the drilling rig.

Another object is to provide a device for spraying pipe in which the device may be moved from a position in which the spray nozzles of the device surround the pipe to a position in which the spray device is entirely clear of the pipe. Thus, the spray device may be removed from the zone of the drill pipe so that large objects such as a drill bit, pipe wiper or the like may pass by the spray device.

Still another object is to provide a spray device which, when it is once installed, does not have to be removed until the drilling is completed.

Another object is to provide a pipe spraying device that is economical to manufacture and easy to install at the well site.

Another object is to provide such a device that is capable of extended periods of service without requiring any substantial maintenance.

The foregoing and other aims, objects, and advantages of the invention are achieved in an apparatus for spraying drill pipe and the like as it is being run into or out of a well, the pipe carrying an object of larger diameter than the pipe, which includes, in combination: a base adapted to be mounted adjacent to the well;

a carrier providing a central, vertically extending opening and a lateral passageway communicating the opening with the exterior of the carrier, which substantially completely encompasses the pipe when the latter is axially disposed in the opening, allowing the axial passage through the opening of the pipe but barring the axial passage of the object of larger diameter than the pipe. The carrier allows the passageway to move around the pipe when the carrier is pivoted about a vertical pivotal axis offset from the axis of the opening from one position where the pipe is in the opening into another position where the pipe is outside and clear of the carrier, and vice versa, to allow the passage of the object of larger diameter than the pipe. Also included in the apparatus are means for mounting the carrier to the base for pivotal movement about the vertical pivotal axis, and means for pivoting it about the mounting means from one of the positions to the other position. Spray nozzles are mounted on the carrier and adapted to project sprays over substantially the entire periphery of the pipe when it is axially disposed in the opening; and means are provided for supplying liquid under pressure to the nozzles for producing the sprays. The apparatus may also include: means on the base for clamping it to a well riser; spring means on the carrier pivoting means for moving the carrier from the second to the first mentioned position; and the lateral passageway may be arcuate about the vertical pivotal axis. Additionally, the apparatus may include a vertical cylindrical wall disposed radially outwardly from the nozzles, a top wall joined to the cylindrical wall and above the nozzles, and a bottom wall joined to the cylindrical wall below the nozzles, adapted to engage a wiper carried by the pipe and to arrest its upward movement as the pipe is drawn upwardly through the vertically extending opening provided by the carrier.

In the form of the invention shown by way of illustration in the drawings, the means for mounting the carrier includes means for mounting it forpivotal movement about a vertical axis offset from the central opening to move the passageway laterally over the vertical drill pipe between one position in which the vertical drill pipe is in the opening and another position in which the vertical drill pipe is outside of the carrier, the passageway being arcuate about the olfset vertical axis to permit such movement.

The invention will be described with greater particularity with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one form of spraying apparatus embodying the invention, together with associated equipment; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, somewhat enlarged, taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus shown includes a Well riser or nipple 10 located at the top of an oil well or the like. There is also shown a rig floor 11 supported on beams 12. The floor has a hand rail 13 at one side. A rotary table is indicated at 14. A section of drill pipe 15 is shown centered vertically in the riser 10.

The spray device is designated by the general reference numeral 16. It has a base including a pair of opposed clamping members 17 and 18. These clamping members are drawn together about the riser 10 by rods 19 having 1 nuts 20 threaded at their ends. A vertical bearing 21 is carried by the base at one side thereof. This bearing pivotally mounts a vertical shaft 22. A spray nozzle carrier 23 is mounted on the upper end of the shaft by arm members 24a.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the carrier 23 is annular in shape and provides a central opening 24 that is circular. The carrier has a vertical cylindrical outer wall 25, a

bottom wall 26, and a top wall 27. No wall is provided at the side of the carrier that faces the opening 24.

Cut entirely through one side of the carrier is a passageway 28. This passageway is arcuate about the axis of the shaft 22 and is wide enough to pass the pipe 15.

An eye 29 is welded to the carrier, and from this eye a cable 30 extends around the pulley 31 and through a hole 32 in the derrick floor to a location thereabove at which it is releasably attached to a cleat 33 on the hand rail 13. By means of this cable, an operator on the derrick floor may swing the carrier on the shaft 22 in a counterclockwise direction, looking down. As seen in FIG. 1, a coiled spring 34 surrounds the shaft 22 with one end of the spring being afixed to the shaft and the other end to the base. This spring is adapted to urge the shaft 22 to rotate in a clockwise direction, looking down.

Mounted within the carrier 23 is a plurality of spray nozzles 35. These nozzles are carried by brackets 36 mounted inside the carrier. The nozzles are supplied with liquid by a manifold 37. Liquid under pressure is fed to the manifold and to the spray nozzles through a hose 38. The nozzles are positioned to direct sprays of liquid inwardly toward the opening 24a to spray the pipe 15 in the opening. I

As seen in FIG. 1, "a'pipe wiper 39 is mounted on the pipe 15 between the top of the riser 10 and the bottom of the carrier 23. When the pipe is being withdrawn from the well, the wiper is pulled up against the bottom of the carrier'23 and there maintained in place to wipe mud from the pipe as it is drawn upwardly through the wiper. If desired, a second similar wiper may be mounted on the pipe between the top of the carrier 23 and the bottom of the rotary table 14 to remove excess liquid that is sprayed upon the pipe by the spray device.

The spray device of the invention is shown in spraying position in the drawings. Assume that the pipe string 15 is being withdrawn from the well. The spray nozzles are supplied with liquid under pressure to project sprays of rust-inhibiting solution on the pipe as it comes out of the hole. Assume further that a drill bit is attached to the bottom of the pipe string 15. The drill bit has a larger diameter than the diameter of the opening 24a in the center of the carrier 23. Just before the drill bit emerges from the top of the riser 10, the carrier 23 is swung to one side by an operator who draws in the cable 30 to pivot the carrier and its shaft on the hearing 21. With the carrier pivoted to one side, the drill bit may be drawn out of the riser without striking the spray device.

Conversely, on going into the hole, the drill bit enters the riser first. With the spray head carrier 23 pivoted out of alignment with' the .riser, the drill bit may be inserted into the riser without interference from the carrier. If it is desired to spray the pipe as it is being run into the well, the operator unfastens the cable 30 from the cleat 33 and allows the carrier to swing back to the position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings under urgence of the spring 34. When the carrier is centered around the drill pipe, the cable is again fastened to the cleat to maintain the carrier in its spraying position. Then liquid is forced into the spray system to spray the pipe as it enters the hole.

It is not essential that the spray device be mounted on the well riser. Alternatively, it may be mounted on any convenient point on the derrick structure or separately mounted to a base upon the ground.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides a device for spraying well pipe and the like accomplishing the objects of the invention in an advantageous manner.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for spraying drill pipe and the like as the pipe is being run into and out of a well, the pipe carrying an object of larger diameter than the pipe, the apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a base adapted to be mounted adjacent to the well;

(b) a carrier providing a central, vertically extending openin and a lateral passageway communicating said opening with the exterior of the carrier, said carrier substantially completely encompassing the pipe when the pipe is axially disposed in said opening, allowing the axial passage of the pipe through said opening, and barring the axial passage through said opening of the object of larger diameter than the pipe, said carrier allowing said passageway to move around the pipe when the carrier is pivoted about a vertical pivotal axis offset from the axis of said opening from one position in which the pipe is in said opening into another position in which the pipe is outside and clear of said carrier to allow the passage of the object of larger diameter than the pipe, and vice versa;

(c) means for mounting said carrier to said base for pivotal movement about said vertical pivotal axis;

((1) means for pivoting said carrier about said last mentioned means from one of said positions to the other of said positions;

(e) spray nozzles mounted on said carrier and adapted to project sprays over substantially the entire periphery of the pipe when it is axially disposed in said opening; and

(1) means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles for producing sprays therefrom.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base comprises means for clamping it to a well riser.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for pivoting said carrier includes spring means for moving said carrier from said another position into said one position.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said lateral passageway is arcuate about said vertical pivotal axis.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier comprises a bottom wall disposed under said nozzles and adapted to engage a wiper carried by the pipe and to arrest upward movement of the wiper as the pipe is drawn upwardly through the vertically extending opening provided by said carrier.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier comprises a vertical cylindrical wall disposed radially outwardly of said nozzles, a bottom wall joined to said cylindrical wall and disposed under said nozzles, and a top wall joined to said cylindrical wall and disposed above said nozzles, said bottom wall adapted to engage a wiper carried by the pipe and to arrest upward movement of the wiper as the pipe is drawn upwardly through the vertically extending opening provided by said carrier.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,575,526 3/ 1926 Bocher. 1,829,831 11/1931 Hiskey. 2,755,067 7/ 1956 Williston 118--316 X 2,858,555 11/1958 Medovick 134--199 X UNITED STATES PATENTS 837,189 4/ 1952 Germany.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

J. P. MCINTOSH, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,334 ,639 August 8 1967 John C. Grant It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, lines 23 and 42, for "24a", each occurrence, read 24 Signed and sealed this 15th day of October 1968.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING DRILL PIPE AND THE LIKE AS THE PIPE IS BEING RUN INTO AND OUT OF A WELL, THE PIPE CARRYING AN OBJECT OF LARGER DIAMETER THAN THE PIPE, THE APPARATUS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A BASE ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ADJACENT TO THE WELL; (B) A CARRIER PROVIDING A CENTRAL, VERTICALLY EXTENDING OPENING AND A LATERAL PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING SAID OPENING WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE CARRIER, SAID CARRIER SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY ENCOMPASSING THE PIPE WHEN THE PIPE IS AXIALLY DISPOSED IN SAID OPENING, ALLOWING THE AXIAL PASSAGE OF THE PIPE THROUGH SAID OPENING, AND BARRING THE AXIAL PASSAGE THROUGH SAID OPENING, OF THE OBJECT OF LARGER DIAMETER THAN THE PIPE, SAID CARRIER ALLOWING SAID PASSAGEWAY TO MOVE AROUND THE PIPE WHEN THE CARRIER IS PIVOTED ABOUT A VERTICAL PIVOTAL AXIS OFFSET FROM THE AXIS OF SAID OPENING FROM ONE POSITION IN WHICH THE PIPE IS IN SAID OPENING INTO ANOTHER POSITION IN WHICH THE PIPE IS OUTSIDE AND CLEAR OF SAID CARRIER TO ALLOW THE PASSAGE OF THE OBJECT OF LARGER DIAMETER THAN THE PIPE, AND VICE VERSA; (C) MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID CARRIER TO SAID BASE FOR PIVOTAL FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID VERTICAL PIVOTAL AXIS; (D) MEANS FOR PIVOTING SAID CARRIER ABOUT SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS FROM ONE OF SAID POSITIONS TO THE OTHER OF SAID POSITIONS; (E) SPRAY NOZZLES MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER AND ADAPTED TO PROJECT SPRAYS OVER SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY OF THE PIPE WHEN IT IS AXIALLY DISPOSED IN SAID OPENING; AND (F) MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE TO SAID NOZZLES FOR PRODUCING SPRAYS THEREFROM. 